Slated for high-speed sensor and signal processing applications, the VXS-based JazzStore UWB system is claimed by TEK Micro to be the first disk-based data recording system to enable realtime high-capacity record and playback of broadband-sampled analog data at rates up to 2-Gsamples/s (with 8-bit samples).

The system can also operate at a slower 1.6-Gsamples/s rate and acquire higher resolution (10-bit) samples.

Multiple RAIDs

The system's two-slot scalable storage architecture is based on multiple RAID (redundant array of independent disk) storage. The use of RAID provides the capacity to store wideband sampled data for extended periodsup to several hours!

What's more, you can use up to six RAID systems to store up to 24-Terabytes of data.

As such, the JazzStore UWB can be used for saving signals in radars, SIGINT (signals intelligence) and electronic warfare systems, and SDR (software defined radio) applications.

It should prove useful wherever there's a requirement to store, analyze, process, and play back huge volumes of captured signal samples, with instantaneous bandwidths in the GHz range.

Open Standards

TEK Micro claims its JazzStore UWB is an industry-first at two levels: performance and extensive use of open standards. The use of open standards also ensures a roadmap for technology advances.

Not only can the platform let you continuously record and playback at up to 2-Gsamples/s, but it can seamlessly access data from Windows or Linux workstations, using a standard FAT32 file system. You also get recording system control through the standard Windows GUI (graphical user interface), or from your own software applications, using an API (application programming interface) library.

FPGA Meet SOCs

The 2-slot VXS system is also built on FPGA-based (field programmable gate array) components from TEK Microsystems. Its Triton 2-GHz A/D (analog-to-digital) and DAC (digital-to-analog converter) card, for example, provides a wideband analog digitizing front-end, and supports realtime playback.

The JazzStore SoC includes a QinetiQ- developed FibreChannel core that takes advantage of PowerPC 405 microprocessors within a Xilinx Virtex II Pro FPGA. Intelligent operations trigger and record block sizes of 8-ksamples to as much as 32-ksamples. The FPGA also handles data recording features such as time stamping, separate or common event triggering, and data channel synchronization. This is implemented with a resolution greater than 1-sample clock period.

In operation, no less than six JazzStore SOC cores give you a dozen data pipes that feed directly into a set of up to twelve Fiber Channel-connected RAID arrays. Layered on top of this, the JazzStore system architecture enables seamless access to the recorded data using the FAT 32 file system.

Sample-accurate trigger modes of operation are also available to support record and playback at 2-Gsamples/s with up to 80-percent duty cycle.

In addition to Windows and Linux operating systems, TEK Micro provides support for the VxWorks realtime operating system.